Police dash cam video shows South Carolina shooting victim run from car

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WPVI) -- Police in South Carolina have released dash cam video that shows the man fatally shot by a police officer get out of his car and then run away during a traffic stop.

It would end with the man's shooting death a short time later.

The video, released Thursday by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, shows what begins as a seemingly routine traffic stop on Saturday.

The officer, Michael Slager, approaches the green Mercedes-Benz driven by Walter Lamer Scott.

Slager says he pulled him over because of a non-functioning taillight.

After the officer asks for license and registration, Scott can be heard saying he doesn't have registration or insurance on the vehicle because he was in the process of buying it.

After a brief exchange, Slager returns to his patrol car.

Scott is seen getting out of the car and then takes off running. The officer then runs after him.

What happens next is only known because of video recorded by eyewitness Feiden Santana.

Those last seconds of Scott's life were recorded by FEIDIN SANTANA.

Slager radioed that Scott grabbed his Taser but Santana says that's not what he saw.

"No not trying to punch the cop, hit the cop - nothing," said Santana.

Slager has been charged with murder.

He has ties to Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Slager graduated from Lenape Regional High School in Medford in 2001 and, after graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and eventually became a police officer.

Slager has also been fired from North Charleston Police Department.

He's expecting his first child with his wife and despite his dismissal, the department says they will continue to pay for her health insurance.

Meanwhile, on Thursday Slager's emotional mother spoke out for the first time.

She says she can't bring herself to watch that cellphone video.

"I hope God takes care of everybody involved, not only my family, but the Scott family - because I know they're grieving like I'm grieving. So I want them to know that," said Karen Sharpe.